As the majority of Myanmar are Buddhist, novitiation is vitally important. Novitiation is the act of putting one's son into the Buddha's order of the Sangha.
In Myanmar culture, mothers pray for sons so that they could perform this religious duty of novitiation ceremony for their sons. The parent are very proud to have their sons become novice and improve their religious training.
During the summer holidays young boys enter the Buddhist order and become a 'son of the Buddha' for a week or more.
What the ceremony includes depends on the financial status of the parents. There may be entertainment by Myanmar culture orchestras; there may be a procession of the novice-to-be through the town on elephant, or a house for the humble people on ox carts. The noviate wears a crown made of gold thread and glittery sequins, dresses in princely garments of silk, wears a gold headdress and is followed by his parents, family members and local damsels carryings sets of yellow robes, offerings, ornate betel box and by music troupes and dancers.
Novices-to-be have to shave their heads. The boy's mother and father hold a white cloth to receive the falling hair, which they bury near some sacred place. Then they have to beg permission of the monk to be novitiates as they hold a roll of yellow robe with both hands. After investing the monks with the robes, the boys become novices. During his novice hood, he will not take any food after noon, but can have soft drink in the evening.
Novices must keep ten precepts and study Buddha's teaching. They must also meditate. Entering into the novice hood is the first step for them to understand the rules of nature in order to live the rest of their lives meaningfully, peacefully and successfully.